MK Dons Ladies suffered a 3-0 defeat on Sunday to a rapidly improving Spurs side.
After the home side had gone in front on 29 minutes, Dons' attempts to get back into the game were thwarted by some strange decisions by the Bulgarian referee, which eventually led to Spurs adding a further two goals in the final 20 minutes.
With hopes of promotion gone, manager Tony Blake gave opportunities and experience to some of the younger team members with five of the squad under 17.
Spurs Ladies started strongly and a dangerous cross from Jenna Schilacci saw Sam Puttick shoot just wide in the opening minutes. They continued to look dangerous, before Dons first real chance on 10 minutes, when Lauren Goodier ran onto a through ball, only to direct her shot straight at keeper Ebony Cabey-Gooden.
Schillaci and Puttick continued to trouble Dons defence, until Schillaci had to go off on 23 minutes after turning on her ankle, Vanessa Storey coming off the bench into the attack.
Some good play between Caroline Moran and Lucy Hopper moments later allowed Goodier another chance, but her shot drifted across the goal with no-one able to steer the ball in. Dons were looking more comfortable when a defensive error handed a goal to the home side. Just before the half hour mark, a poor pass back from Moran fell short of Kate Costin, and Puttick intercepted. Her cross back from the line allowed Storey to place the ball past Charlene Ward for the opening goal.
Dons tried for an immediate reply and after a succession of corners, Charly Wright's fourth corner kick was flicked on by Moran, but Hopper nodded over the bar from close range. Mikaela Welford also forced a good save from the Spurs keeper, but it was the home side who finished the half stronger - Storey forcing a save from Ward before Emma Kayser sent a couple of efforts just wide.
Dons made two changes after the break, with Leigh Dean and Aileen Whelan coming on in midfield as they tried to combat Spurs' 3-5-2 formation. They looked more comfortable early-on, but Spurs started to take control again as the half progressed as efforts from Ryah Vyse, Nichola Cable, Storey and Kayser all went close.
Leanna Doyle was booked for a poor challenge on Puttick, before Tottenham's Jess Cheeseman had a goal disallowed on 67 minutes for offside when she followed up a Kayser effort which had been spectacularly tipped onto the bar by Dons 'keeper Ward.
Dons fate was sealed on 70 minutes by a peculiar decision from the referee. As Spurs pushed forward, Ward made two excellent blocks from Puttick, before making a brilliant save to keep out her third effort. The referee pointed to the penalty spot indicating handball, although the only person to get a hand to the ball was the 'keeper! Despite protests, Puttick duly hammered the spot kick past the luckless Ward.
The referee appeared to lose control of the game as he booked Hannah Cunningham for an innocuous foul, and Moran for another challenge as frustration crept in. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Spurs added a third when Sam Gillings crossed from the right for Storey to score her second, heading home at the far post.
Next Sunday, Dons have a chance of reaching the League Cup Final when they visit Norwich City in their semi-final tie. They will need to reverse two defeats against the Canaries earlier in the season, in both the League and the FA Women's Cup.
MK Dons Ladies: Charlene Ward, Kate Costin, Emma Kirby (Leigh Dean HT), Lucy Hopper (Aileen Whelan HT), Leanna Doyle, Heather McDonnell, Caroline Moran, Charly Wright, Mikaela Welford, Lauren Goodier, Hannah Cunningham (Leiannda Rogers 75).
Referee: Mr. M.Ivanov.
Other Results: Cambridge 2 Ipswich Town 1; Ebbsfleet United 2 Northampton Town 1; Lewes 0 Norwich City 1.
